DIY weddings are all the rage, in part because they allow the couple to potentially save some cash while showing off their crafty skills. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be handling all the wedding details by making them yourself, there are elements of any wedding that can easily be made or crafted rather than bought from a vendor.
Whether your skills include sewing, baking, carpentry, or just an eye for design, there are a million DIY wedding ideas that could help you save money while adding a personal touch to your wedding. Nevertheless, getting started on DIY wedding ideas can seem a little daunting for the crafting novice. Here are some important basics you’ll need to get going on turning your big day into a DIY wedding extravaganza!
The key to all great DIY wedding crafts is beginning with a great idea for a project. If you know you’d like to add some DIY elements, but don’t know where to begin, there are great resources out there to browse. In addition to wedding and craft magazines, don’t overlook useful sites like etsy and pinterest. These can be a great source of DIY wedding ideas, no matter what style of wedding you’re planning.
Your local craft store is likely to be the basis of a lot of DIY wedding projects, from favor stuffing to ribbon banners. It’s a good idea to have a conversation with one of the managers or clerks, to ask about the possibilities of special orders or bulk discounts. If you can’t find what you need at a store, don’t hesitate to search for great deals online! Online glassworks, fabric stores, and even florists may be a great source of savings- especially if you can disassociate your purchases from the dreaded “wedding” price raiser!
If you’re looking to save some dough by turning to DIY wedding ideas, be prepared to do some price checking. With bulk discounts and sales, it may actually sometimes be cheaper to get pre-fabricated items than to make them yourself. Price out the shopping list of your DIY items against pre-made versions, and don’t forget to factor in charges like shipping or tax. Of course, if you’re just looking to add a homemade, artistic touch, then craft away without fear!
While it’s tempting to think of just how much money you’ll save by making 300 mini-jars of jam instead of buying expensive wedding favors, don’t make the mistake of forgetting the time factor. In the month before your wedding, you’re unlikely to have hundreds of free hours for DIY wedding crafts, so making everything from the chuppah to the bouquets might be out of the question.
If you can spread craft projects out between your wedding party and relatives, however, or just get all your bridesmaids over to help you stuff favors and hand-write place cards, you can probably handle quite a few small DIY wedding projects- or at least a couple of big ones!
